Bersa .380 and acessories ?

[kBob]

Thinking seriously about a Bersa Thunderer .380 for my daughter. I am seeking thoughts on the gun and accessories.

I will say there are A LOT of positive reviews on You Tube , even one by Hickock45 on the CC model, and I am being influenced by those greatly.

I notice there seem to be only two brands of after market mags and that factory mags are not inexpensive.

Pro Mag and Mec Gar both seem to make magazines for the Thunderer so I would like feed back on those specific magazines for the Thunderer.

I note that the Pro Mag seem t hold only 7 rounds while the factory and Mec Gar hold 8. If however the 7 rounders are more reliable than the 8 rounders then they are not a bad thing.

I also noted that some 10 rounders are available for when the gun is used in Home Defense rather than carry. Any experience with those?

Any decent holsters out there?

Any way to add a light or laser?

-kBob

 

[drband]

I have a BT380 and it's a fine pistol. The "Deluxe" magazine is a 9 rounder and works quite well. Factory mags are solid. The Mec gar mags are excellent. Most folks say to avoid the Promag brand. I have one that seems to work well.
Good luck with your search-- it really is a great value in a pistol.

 

[kokapelli]

Excellent pistol for the money. I have six of the 8 round mags for my CC and have yet to have a failure with any of the ammo I use.

The sights on the Thunder are a little better than the ones on the CC.

I can't really say anything negative about the Bersa, but the Glock 42 is now my my favorite 380 pistol.

The G42 does not require transition from double action to single action after the first shot and also has less felt recoil due to it's locked breach action.

I know the G42 is more expensive and if that is a factor the Bersa will be a very satisfactory choice.

 

[MedWheeler]

I cannot say enough about how pleasantly satisfied I have been with mine since acquiring it used in 2008. I could not, no matter how hard I tried, get that thing to malfunction. I tried old (20+ year), crud-covered ammo mixed with new, different bullet-tip rounds mixed together, and aluminum-cased mixed with brass-cased. Ran 'em all, and did so in an easy-to-manage manner.

I have heard from more than one source that the only reliable magazines are those from Bersa. I suppose that, given Mec-Gar's reputation, that they'd be likely to work, but I won't try it, and I know no one else who has.

Great values in guns. I do also like the look and feel of the Ruger LC380 for a shoot-able carry gun in the caliber, but have not fired one. I have no need to, as my Bersa isn't going anywhere.

 

[toivo]

The factory mags are cheap enough that I wouldn't mess with the Pro-Mags.

I have Thunders in .22 and .32 that are a lot of fun at the range. I had a .380 for carry. It was very reliable, but I sold it in favor of a SIG P238 and a Glock 42. I like a carry gun's trigger to do the same thing every time. No offense to DA/SA fans -- I just like to keep things simple.

 

[HankC]

I bought my Bersa 380 when they were under $200. The recoil felt sharper than my 9mms due to light weight and direct blow back, the beaver tail would hit my thumb knuckle and cause bleeding. The slide metal also feel soft compares to my other firearms. Sold it!

 

[SC Shooter]

I picked up a lightly used Bersa Thunder from my LGS awhile back. When I first took it to the range, I had several stove pipes and jams. A gentleman at the range suggested that the magazine spring needed to be stretched. I took the spring out and stretched it with my hands, reassembled, and have since put several hundred rounds through it without a hitch. Definitely a keeper.

 

[Milkmaster]

I liked my Bersa Thunder so well that I sold it and bought the concealed carry version for my daily carry. Now I have two of them. One I carry and another in the house. Both have been very dependable.

 

[DLam]

I have a Bersa Thunder 380. 22, and the ultra compact pro 45. All excellent firearms.

Bersa has recently ventured into the market. I have not looked into any of those models.

 

[DougW]

My Thunder .380 has been a companion for 12+ years/ Totally reliable, it is my go to small carry pistol. I have an extra Meggar with the factory mag I bought. Works like a charm. If I need/want more firepower I move up to a Glock 9mm.